Gold Star Family Member: A Gold Star Family member is a survivor of a Service member who has lost their life during any armed hostilities in which the United States was engaged and authorized to wear the "Gold Star Lapel Button".

Next of Kin Family Member: The next of kin Family member is a survivor of a Service member who lost their life while serving on active duty. This includes service members who lose their lives while assigned to a reserve or National Guard unit in drill status. Eligible survivors are the remarried widow or widower (widows and widowers are eligible to retain their dependent ID card), parent, child, stepchild, child through adoption, brother, half-brother, sister, and half-sister of the deceased Service member.

Access: Gold Star Family passes are issued upon coordination and validation of entitlement with the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS). A favorable background check must be done prior to pass issuance. The Visitor Center will coordinate with the SOS office and ensure the date of the background check is typed onto the pass.

NOTE: Gold Star Family member pass from other installations are accepted provided NCIC-III checks are annotated. Gold Star Family member passes from DBIDS cannot be used for installation access on Carlisle Barracks.

Gold Star Family Member and Next of Kin Family Member passes are valid for 3 years.